Optical element with light extracting dots and display device using same

Abstract

An optical element and a display device incorporating the optical element are provided. The optical element comprises a panel member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a jetted pattern of light extracting dots applied to the first surface. Each light extracting dot has a part-spherical surface intersecting the first surface and a transition between the part-spherical surface and the first surface. The transition includes substantially continuous angular configuration from the part-spherical surface angular orientation to the first surface angular orientation.

1. A display device comprising:
 a display panel; 
 a light source; and 
 an optical element optically disposed between the light source and the display panel, 
 the optical element including a panel member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of light extracting dots applied to the first surface, each light extracting dot having a curved surface intersecting the first surface and a transition between the curved surface and the first surface, 
 the transition including substantially continuous angular configuration from the curved surface angular orientation to the first surface angular orientation, 
 wherein the panel member is a polarizing film. 
 
   
   
     2. The display device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the optical element also includes a plurality of second light extracting dots applied to the second surface, each having a second curved surface intersecting the second surface and a transition between the second curved surface and the second surface,
 the transition of each of the plurality of second light extracting dots including substantially continuous angular configuration from the second curved surface angular orientation to the second surface angular orientation. 
 
   
   
     3. The display device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of second light extracting dots is positioned to receive light rays directed by one of the plurality of first mentioned light extracting dots. 
   
   
     4. The display device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the light rays directed by the first mentioned light extracting dot enter the optical element inwardly from the first surface toward the second surface in a direction normal to the second surface, and wherein the plurality of second light extracting dots are arranged in alignment with the plurality of first mentioned light extracting dots with respect to the direction normal to the second surface, respectively. 
   
   
     5. The display device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the light rays directed by the first mentioned light extracting dot enter the optical element inwardly from the first surface toward the second surface in a direction normal to the second surface, and wherein the plurality of second light extracting dots are arranged out of alignment with the plurality of first mentioned light extracting dots with respect to the direction normal to the second surface, respectively. 
   
   
     6. The display device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the polarizing film is formed with a plurality of openings within the first surface, and wherein the plurality of light extracting dots cover the plurality of openings, respectively. 
   
   
     7. A display device comprising:
 a display panel; 
 a light source; and 
 an optical element optically disposed between the light source and the display panel, 
 the optical element including a panel member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of light extracting dots applied to the first surface, each light extracting dot having a curved surface intersecting the first surface and a transition between the curved surface and the first surface, 
 the transition including substantially continuous angular configuration from the curved surface angular orientation to the first surface angular orientation, 
 wherein the panel member is a light guide, and 
 wherein the optical element also includes a plurality of second light extracting dots applied to the second surface, each having a second curved surface intersecting the second surface and a transition between the second curved surface and the second surface, 
 the transition of each of the plurality of second light extracting dots including substantially continuous angular configuration from the second curved surface angular orientation to the second surface angular orientation. 
 
   
   
     8. The display device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of second light extracting dots is positioned to receive light rays directed by one of the plurality of first mentioned light extracting dots. 
   
   
     9. The display device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the light rays directed by the first mentioned light extracting dot enter the panel member inwardly from the first surface toward the second surface in a direction normal to the second surface, and wherein the plurality of second light extracting dots are arranged in alignment with the plurality of first mentioned light extracting dots with respect to the direction normal to the second surface, respectively. 
   
   
     10. The display device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the light rays directed by the first mentioned light extracting dot enter the panel member inwardly from the first surface toward the second surface in a direction angled with respect to a direction normal to the second surface, and wherein the plurality of second light extracting dots are arranged out of alignment with the plurality of first mentioned light extracting dots with respect to the direction normal to the second surface, respectively. 
   
   
     11. The display device as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a reflector positioned against the first surface of the light guide; and a polarizing sheet positioned against the second surface formed with the plurality of second light extracting dots. 
   
   
     12. A display device comprising:
 a display panel; 
 a light source; and 
 an optical element optically disposed between the light source and the display panel, 
 the optical element including a panel member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of light extracting dots applied to the first surface, each light extracting dot having a curved surface intersecting the first surface and a transition between the curved surface and the first surface, 
 the transition including substantially continuous angular configuration from the curved surface angular orientation to the first surface angular orientation, 
 wherein the panel member is a light guide, 
 further comprising a reflector positioned against the first surface of the light guide, and an optical sheet positioned against the second surface, 
 further comprising a polarizing film having a surface positioned against the optical sheet on the remote side thereof from the light guide; 
 wherein the polarizing film includes a plurality of second light extracting dots applied to the second surface, each having a second curved surface intersecting the second surface and a transition between the second curved surface and the second surface, 
 the transition of each of the plurality of second light extracting dots including substantially continuous angular configuration from the second curved surface angular orientation to the second surface angular orientation; 
 wherein the polarizing film is formed with a plurality of openings within the surface thereof; and 
 wherein the plurality of second light extracting dots cover the plurality of openings of the polarizing film, respectively. 
 
   
   
     13. An optical element comprising:
 a panel member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and 
 a plurality of light extracting dots applied to the first surface, each light extracting dot having a curved surface intersecting the first surface and a transition between the curved surface and the first surface, 
 the transition including substantially continuous angular configuration from the curved surface angular orientation to the first surface angular orientation, 
 wherein each of light extracting dots is configured to direct light rays impinging on the light extracting dot inwardly of the panel member from the first surface, 
 further comprising: 
 a plurality of second light extracting dots applied to the second surface, each having a second curved surface intersecting the second surface and a transition between the second curved surface and the second surface, 
 the transition of each of the plurality of second light extracting dots including substantially continuous angular configuration from the second curved surface angular orientation to the second surface angular orientation, 
 each of said second light extracting dots being configured to direct light rays impinging on the second light extracting dot out of the panel member in a desired direction.